MPs warned about sharing security details after Nadine Dorries admits staff use her passwords
3 min read
Parliament’s security watchdog has warned MPs over sharing passwords after Tory backbencher Nadine Dorries admitted she gives her personal login details to staff and interns.
Ms Dorries made the admission last night in an effort to defend Damian Green, who is accused of accessing porn on his work computer – an allegation he strongly denies.
The Mid Bedfordshire MP was responding to the suggestion by a police officer that Mr Green would have been the only person able to access his own work computer.
She tweeted: “My staff log onto my computer on my desk with my login everyday. Including interns on exchange programmes.
“For the officer on @BBCNews just now to claim that the computer on Greens desk was accessed and therefore it was Green is utterly preposterous !!”
Fellow Tory backbencher Nick Boles defended the practice, saying: “I often forget my password and have to ask my staff what it is.”
Colchester MP Will Quince also admitted to having a relaxed approach to IT security, tweeting: “Less login sharing and more that I leave my machine unlocked so they can use it if needs be.
“My office manager does know my login though. Ultimately I trust my team.”
However, the tweet provoked criticism with some people suggesting it breached cyber security laws, and this afternoon the Information Commissioner’s Office issued a stern warning to MPs about data protection.
The ICO said: “We’re aware of reports that MPs share logins and passwords and are making enquiries of the relevant parliamentary authorities.
“We would remind MPs and others of their obligations under the Data Protection Act to keep personal data secure.”
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
